FAQ

Water Baptism: Dead to Sin, Alive to God For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. - Colossians 2:12

What is baptism?
Baptism is a powerful symbolic act of repentance from sin and new life in Jesus.
It involves submersion in water, representing a water grave whereby a person joins Christ in his death and resurrection. The person who is baptized recognizes that by faith in Christ Jesus they have “died” to the power of sin and their old way of life. Because they have been raised with Jesus, a new life has begun.

Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. -Romans 6:2-4

Baptism has sometimes been called the “wedding band” of Christianity because it is an outward symbol of an inward work. Just as a wedding ring does not make a person married but instead is a symbol showing that someone is married, baptism does not save a person but is a symbol showing that they have been saved.

Why should I be baptized?
Baptism is a biblical command. Jesus himself was baptized to affirm its importance.

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. - Matthew 3:13-15

Jesus commanded his disciples to practice baptism.

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. - Matthew 28:18-19

Who can be baptized?
Anyone who has repented of their sins and put their faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

...“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved...” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household...Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. - Acts 16:30-33

What to expect and what to bring:
Your water baptism will be a powerful landmark moment celebrating your new life in Christ. We encourage you to invite friends and family to witness your public confession of faith in Jesus.

Baptisms often are performed during the worship time of service. You will want to arrive 30 minutes early on the day of your baptism so that a pastor can meet with you and go over all the details of how and when baptism will take place.

Make sure you bring a change of clothes (dark colored, non-revealing clothing when wet) and a towel.